Russell Brand has been forced to cancel a stand-up show in South Africa after he was refused entry into the country on Friday (15Nov13).

The comedian was due to hit the stage in Johannesburg on Friday evening as part of his Messiah Complex World Tour, but he has now axed the show because authorities did not allow him to enter the country.

Brand, who has not confirmed the reason behind the block, insists he is currently trying to resolve the issue.

In a post on Twitter.com, he writes, "Tonight's J-burg (Johannesburg) show cancelled. SA (South Africa) authorities refuse to let me into your country. Trying to resolve it."

Brand is also due to perform in the city's Montecasino Theatre over the weekend (16-17Nov13) and in Cape Town on Tuesday (19Nov13), it has not been announced whether these shows have also been cancelled.